Meet a Joe: Amanda Liddell

*Occasionally we like to provide a blog post that will help you get to know Joe. From our technicians to our Corporate staff to our hardworking franchisees – we think our company is full of people you ought to know!*

This week we’d like to introduce you to a member of the Corporate staff, Amanda Liddell. Amanda joined Mosquito Joe after graduating from Old Dominion University in December of 2016 with two business degrees; one in marketing and another in business analytics. Continually working throughout her college career in digital marketing, Amanda gained experience in analytics, social media, marketing materials, and client relationships. As the Search Engine Marketing (SEM) Specialist, Amanda works with the digital team on all Mosquito Joe franchisee websites, search engine optimization, pay per click campaigns, digital advertising, and more! Her work is vital to the day-to-day support of our franchise owners nationwide, making sure they are well represented across the world wide web. Some of her other hobbies include Marvel, DIY projects, and travel.

Here are some fun facts about Amanda, so you can get to know her like we have. Welcome, Amanda!

What led you to work for Mosquito Joe?

When interviewing with the company, I instantly felt a connection with the employees and was comfortable around them. During my time with Kevin, the CEO, I could hear in his voice how excited he was for the company’s future. He didn’t just explain where he wanted to be in 5 years, he explained his vision and just how he was going to make it happen. With help from his associates, Kevin has created a specific atmosphere that is rare to find. He challenges you to be innovative and work hard, but also to have fun while doing it. It is reasons like this that made me choose Mosquito Joe.

What is your favorite part about your position at Mosquito Joe?

My favorite part of my position is the optimization of franchisee websites. The management team has so many great ideas, I’m excited to implement those ideas to see the positive effects they will have down the road.

What is your favorite Mosquito Joe tagline and why?

My favorite tagline is “Itching for a solution?” As someone who is personally allergic to mosquitoes, I am always looking for new ways to stop the itching! Once mosquito season hits, I usually find myself inside just so I don’t have to deal with them. Now that I know about this solution, I can’t wait to get back in my pool and enjoy the weather.

How do you like to spend your time outdoors?

Since we live near the beach, I love to catch some rays of sunshine whenever I can! Whether its laying out on the beach, biking across the city, or going for a hike.

How attracted are mosquitoes to you?

If there was a scale of 1-10…. I would have to say 15. When it is mosquito season, it seems like I can’t walk outside without getting bit!

If you were shipwrecked, what three items would you want to land on shore with you?

My record collection, hand crank generator, and a tropical plant that produces fruit. People always joke about private islands… being stranded wouldn’t be ideal but who wouldn’t love to be surrounded by music, fruit and the big blue ocean!

Back

New Locations Opening This Spring


It may seem like this cold weather would be a slow time for us here at the corporate office, but that is hardly the case! We’ve stayed busy during the off-season training new Mosquito Joe business owners and are excited to announce many new locations opening this spring. The Mosquito Joe family is growing, and we couldn’t be more excited about it!

Coming Soon to Make Outside Fun Again:
*in alphabetical order by state

Alabama

Florida

Georgia

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

  • Mosquito Joe of the Quad Cities (website coming soon)
    • Bettendorf, IA

Massachusetts

Missouri

  • Mosquito Joe of Kansas City (website coming soon)
    • Kansas City, MO

New Hampshire

  • Mosquito Joe of South New Hampshire (website coming soon)
    • Chester, NH

New Jersey

North Carolina

Rhode Island

South Carolina

Texas

  • Mosquito Joe of Rio Grande Valley (website coming soon)
    • Roma, TX

Mosquito Joe provides mosquito control treatment to residential and commercial customers. Our technicians are trained mosquito control experts dedicated to one thing: getting rid of mosquitoes so that you can enjoy being outside again. Outfitted with the latest gear and backed by the coordination of a top-notch support staff, our technicians in the field get the job done swiftly, thoroughly and effectively. Find out more about our services on our website.

If Mosquito Joe hasn’t made it to your neck of the woods yet, why not bring it there? We have opportunities available across the country. If you’re interested in being your neighborhood Joe (and hero) visit our Franchise Information Page for more information.

Back

Shop Small MoJo Style

At Mosquito Joe, we have a lot to be thankful for this Thursday. This season we had 170 territories operating in 27 states which means we made more families mosquito free this year than we ever have. That satisfaction in itself is setting us up for the best Thanksgiving yet. We also made Inc. 5000’s list of Fastest Growing Private Companies in America and Franchise Business Review’s Top Franchises for Veterans list, which we are incredibly proud of. Even though the temperatures have dropped here in Virginia Beach and the holidays are right around the corner, our office is still buzzing with meetings, trainings and new franchisees.  But, we also realized this week that we should probably start shopping for those family members of ours. Eek!

ShopSmallWe know that the much anticipated “Black Friday” is coming up, but did you know that the day after is Shop Small Saturday? Not only is it the perfect opportunity to avoid the craziness at the mall, but it’s a great way to support your community. Because all of our Mosquito Joe mosquito control businesses are locally owned and operated, we like to consider this the Shop Small MoJo style day, too. You don’t even have to leave your couch to participate! Give your local Mosquito Joe a call (or email) and tell them you need a gift certificate for all the homeowners on your list. It really is the gift that will keep on giving, right into the Spring of 2017 when they’re enjoying their mosquito free yard. They also make great stocking stuffers.

Shop Small Saturday is a wonderful day for many reasons beyond the fact that you get to buy presents for your family and friends. A day designated to small businesses helps them overcome the lack of large-scale advertising that larger corporations have at their disposal. Supporting these businesses also keeps money circulating throughout your community, supporting perpetual growth. Not to mention that boosting the sales of small businesses is really important seeing as they account for 54% of all U.S. sales. Our economy largely depends on their success!

We hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with lots of good food, family and no mosquitoes. As the MoJo family grows, we’re so excited to see all the amazing things our new franchisees are going to do in their communities. So while we’re talking about things that make us excited, we owe you a big thanks, too. Our customers and franchisees are what make this company thrive and more importantly, what make it great. Enjoy your weekend, and make sure you support local businesses in your area. And don’t forget to add Mosquito Joe gift certificates to that shopping list!

Back

Last Minute DIY Halloween Costume Ideas

Here in Virginia Beach, the weather is perfect for pumpkin picking and trick-or-treating which is only a few days away! Oops, did you forget that Halloween is next week? While some people have costumes prepared months in advance, others may be scrambling for things to wear to Halloween parties and trick-or-treating this weekend. And your kid’s decision to be Batman three months ago may have changed a dozen times between then and now, leaving you with some creative sewing to do!

Well, no need to fear, Mosquito Joe is here to help with some last-minute, do-it-yourself costume ideas for everybody! Whether you’re looking for a solo costume, something to wear as a group, or something for the little ones, these costumes are sure to catch some attention for their creativity and simplicity.

Halloween Costume Ideas for Couples/Groups

  • Google Maps – Never get lost again with this hilarious costume that lets you and a partner be point A and point B on a Google Maps route. All you need are cardboard and markers for the headpiece and some yellow duct tape, a printer, and tape to create the street view on your shirt.DIY Halloween Costume
  • Fruit of the Loom – I give full credit for this costume idea to my parents who wore it to a Halloween party a few years ago. The essence of this costume for all members includes balloons, tights, a hat, and gloves of the same color. Apply the balloons to each person with some tape, and you’re on your way!
  • Three blind mice – Perhaps the most famous of nursery rhyme trios, the Three Blind Mice make for a simple and hilarious Halloween costume. Grey long-sleeved shirts and leggings, walking canes, sunglasses, and mouse ears are all you need to complete this look.

Halloween Costume Ideas for Singles

  • Brawny man – It couldn’t get much easier than this costume that only requires a red and black flannel shirt, jeans, work boots, and a roll of paper towels (still in the wrapper).
  • Operation game man – People love Halloween costumes that play on fun childhood memories. And what better way to play on them than to become the subject of a great (and very annoying) board game from the ’60s – Operation! You’ll need a nude colored shirt and leggings, red and white construction paper, and some tongs. The great thing about this is no buzzing sound!
  • Bags of jelly beans – Use sharpies on a clear plastic bag to draw a jelly bean picture or logo of your choosing. Then wrap yourself in the bag, cut out head, arm, and leg holes just big enough to fit through, and fill the bag with colored balloons!

Halloween Costume Ideas For Kids

  • DIY Halloween CostumeBoxes of candy – You are what you eat, right? So why not transform the kids into their favorite candy for the night? Find a cardboard box large enough to comfortably fit your child, and color the outside according to whichever candy wrapper you’d like. Then cut head and arm holes into the box, and you’re done! A matching pair of tights and gloves adds a nice finishing touch.
  • Stick figure – A white shirt and pants, black electrical tape, a piece of paper, string, and a marker are all you need for this one. Draw a simple stick figure face on the paper, cut it out in a circle, and tie it around the head to cover the face. Then place electrical tape on the shirt and pants to create a stick figure image. It’s best to do the last step while your child is wearing the outfit so everything lines up accordingly.
  • Carl from “Up” – This costume idea is a real crowd pleaser as Up is one of the most beloved Pixar movies ever made. A brown sweater, white shirt, red bow tie, brown pants, and square glasses will be needed to make the outfit. You can make a small walker by using pvc pipe and placing tennis balls on the end. To complete the look, tie a few colored balloons around your child’s waist. Don’t worry, they won’t float away!

We could go on and on about creative Halloween costume ideas to fulfill your last minute needs. If you’re still stuck, you can even ask Siri! That’s right, the new iPhone update will provide DIY costume ideas when you ask Siri what you should be for Halloween. My personal favorite: dress in all black, and stand in front of people all night. You’ll be an eclipse.

Happy Halloween from your friends at Mosquito Joe! We’d love to hear about your costume ideas, so don’t forget to comment here and post on our Facebook page. And if you are still in need of mosquito control services this year, call your local Mosquito Joe for service. Many of our southern locations will continue to operate for weeks to come!

Back

Meet a Joe – Eric Strumpf

**Our Meet a Joe blog series introduces you to one of the people that make Mosquito Joe great. From our technicians to our Corporate staff to our hardworking franchisees, we think our company is full of people you ought to know!**

Meet Eric Strumpf

Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Strumpf, owner of Mosquito Joe of Ft. Collins-Greeley in Colorado. Eric is in his first year as a Mosquito Joe franchisee and will soon be retiring from a 20-year career in the United States Air Force. Before he joined the Mosquito Joe family as a franchise owner, Eric was already a four-year customer! He was so satisfied with the service and interested in the solution Mosquito Joe provides communities, that he decided to become a part of that solution and buy a franchise.

Extracurriculars

A bit of a renaissance man, Eric’s interests and hobbies spread far beyond mosquito control. In addition to his career as a Lt. Colonel in the Air Force, he recently completed his MBA degree at UNC Chapel Hill, started to play the violin, and enjoys lacrosse and exercise. This is not to mention his wife and three children (8, 21, and 27 years old) and all the activities that fatherhood entails. Eric is also an author, writing For My Daughter: Lessons for Life’s Journey in 2012.

Eric’s Mosquito Joe Business

Eric’s Mosquito Joe operation is unique because although his franchise location is in Colorado, he and his wife live full-time in North Carolina where they moved recently after years in the Hampton Roads, Virginia area. Family in the Ft. Collins area and unavailable Mosquito Joe territories locally both contributed to Eric’s decision to take his business west. Jaime, Eric’s sister-in-law, is the office manager that keeps things running day-to-day. Hers will most likely be the  friendly voice you hear on the phone if you call for service.

Eric is the first to admit that there are challenges to managing a Mosquito Joe franchise this way, “Overseeing our territory in Colorado while geographically separated has been very challenging. There’s the daily issues that you either can’t deal with in person or worse, go undetected because you’re not there to see them for yourself. I’ve been out there six times this season and each trip is jammed with value-added efforts from beginning to end.  I look forward to post-retirement so I can pop in any time I want and maybe even have some down time to just enjoy being there.”

After his retirement from the Air Force, Eric’s main focus will be on the future growth of Mosquito Joe. He is going to continue developing the northern Colorado market where elevation is lower and mosquitoes are more of a pest than they are in the mountainous regions to the south.


Mosquito Joe of Ft. Collins-Greeley provides mosquito control services to the Ft. Collins, Greeley, Larimer County, Weld County, and Boulder areas. If you’re interested in mosquito elimination services to rid your yard of pesky mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas, visit their website or call their office at 970-316-0770 for more information.

Back